Statement of Marielena Hincapié, Executive Director of the National Immigration Law Center, on the Decision in Arizona v. United States, June 25, 2012

The Supreme Court’s decision today in Arizona v. United States affirms the longstanding exclusive authority of the federal government to regulate our nation’s immigration laws rather than having a patchwork system of state laws.

Today’s decision sends a clear signal to states and localities that they must work with Congress to enact broad and humane immigration reform, rather than act alone, in order to address the broken immigration system. Misguided attempts like Arizona’s SB 1070 are not only legally wrong but also have caused states economic suffering due to the loss of economic activity, tax revenue and other contributions of immigrants.

Yet we are very concerned that the Court allowed section 2(B) of SB 1070 to be implemented, as it will cause racial profiling of residents of Arizona and flies in the face of our history of protecting the civil rights of every day individuals against abuse of power. We are prepared to move forward with our challenge to this provision in our lawsuit against Arizona, Friendly House v. Whiting, and to defend the civil rights of individuals in the other five states with SB 1070 inspired laws.

We urge Congress and the administration to assert its federal authority and develop a bipartisan solution to immigration reform. All of us must acknowledge that “the history of the United States is in part made of the stories, talents, and lasting contributions of those who crossed oceans and deserts to come here,” as Justice Kennedy stated today. We are stronger as a nation of states united, not divided, and moving forward together.